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Friday, November 20, 2015

State Rep. Lee Chatfield took to Facebook this week to offer his analysis of the terror attack in Paris and what our response should be, offering 5 observations about the situation.

Below is Chatfield's post:

"After a couple days to reflect on the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris and pray for the victims and families affected, here are my thoughts and lessons that I believe we need to learn and realize.

1. The United States (and the world for that matter) truly is at war with radical Islamic terrorists, and until the Commander in Chief of the American armed forces realizes that, we remain gravely impaired in our attempt to defeat them.

2. Securing our borders and enforcing our existing immigration laws is a vital aspect of maintaining our national security, and until our borders are secure, ISIS poses a serious threat even on American soil.

3. The constitutional right to keep and bear arms must never be replaced or infringed upon. These attacks, though impossible to have been completely avoided, could have been stifled had civilians been armed.

4. I applaud Governor Snyder for retracting from his initial enthusiasm for Michigan being host to Syrian refugees. I do not believe that a large influx of refugees into our state would have been wise or safe, and this attack (one terrorist was a Syrian refugee) serves as another reminder.

5. Evil will always exist on this earth until Christ returns, and rather than hoping to contain this growing terrorist threat, we must be proactive in destroying them now. An essential piece of this directive is ensuring that Israel remains militarily (and economically) strong in the Middle East and that we are actively and adequately supporting them.

An essential role of government, as stated in our country's preamble to the Constitution, is to "ensure domestic tranquility and provide for the common defense." This means securing our borders, providing for the defense of our nation and bringing to justice those that break our laws. I strongly recommend that we begin taking these duties more seriously.

God bless America, and let's keep praying for the recovery of Paris and those affected by the recent tragedies."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

Shocking details are emerging over Northern Michigan Democrat State Rep. John Kivela's recent arrest for driving while drunk.

Kivela used his legislator status to avoid arrest, but was unsuccessful after blowing nearly 3 times the legal limit. Kivela, who was legally "super drunk," had no clue where he was or where he was coming from and said he was en route to work in Lansing!

Certainly using his office in this manner is a substantial violation of House rules. Speaker Cotter has not yet initiated expulsion hearings for Kivela.

Kivela also had a bottle of Seagram's Whiskey behind his seat that was nearly half gone...

The deputy spotted Kivela's vehicle and paced it at 80 miles per hour in a 70-mile-per-hour zone before seeing it almost rear end another vehicle while attempting to pass it, the report said.

Once stopped, Kivela smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot, watery eyes, had difficulty with coordination tests and was unable to stand on one leg, the report said.

"Mr. Kivela stated he was en route to Lansing as he is a state representative," Clarke said in the report.

He "stated he had two beers in Flint approximately three hours prior to my contact with him. Mr.

Kivela seemed confused as to where he was coming from or how he got there," but ultimately said he was on his way from Marquette to Lansing with a stop in Flint.

"I asked him if he knew he was all over the road. He stated he didn't."

In a roadside breath test, Kivela showed a blood alcohol content of .238. Later at the sheriff's office, Kivela gave readings of .19, .23 and .22.

"Mr. Kivela pled with me multiple times to let him go and stated he'd sit in the (expletive) weeds if I just let him go, and repeated multiple times 'please, please,' " the deputy said in the report."

Kivela is on record saying legislators who embarrass the House must go.

According to WKQS, Kivela was a strong supporter of removing Representatives Gamrat and Courser from office:

"State Representative John Kivela says the behavior of former Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat has been an “international embarrassment” to the State House and he is glad they no longer in office.
Following a marathon session in Lansing, legislative leaders reached an agreement around 3:00 a.m. today to expel Courser, but he submitted a letter of resignation instead, avoiding a formal expulsion.

An hour later, Gamrat was expelled by a vote of 91-12 for misusing taxpayer resources to cover up an extramarital affair the two were having.

Kivela says he was anxious to expel both of the former lawmakers as soon as possible and is now ready for the House to put the matter behind them.

He added that those truly hurt in the scandal were the 180,000 constituents that were not being served, and the sooner special elections can be held get them effectively represented, the better."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

How would new road legislation pushed by Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof hurt Michigan families?The costs for gas and vehicle registration are going up.The gas tax will go up 7 cents/gallon while vehicle registration fees are up 20%.The average driver apparently drives 12,000 miles a year. Some much less, some much more, but that's the average.

Subsequently averaging out highway and city driving of all the cars on the road to a generous 25 miles/gallon, one would need 480 gallons to keep their car fueled during the year. 480 times .07 equals $36 for every Michigan driver on average.Add the 20% increase in vehicle registration fees?According to the Free Press, "the average registration fee for a passenger vehicle is $100."That means that fee would now cost $120, $20 more.$20+$36 = $56.The new Meekhof road bill will cost an average of $60/driver.If you're a typical family of four with two teen kids, you'll be paying roughly $240 more per year or more!

Happy birthday from Sen. Arlan Meekhof! The new ‪#‎MeekhofGasTax‬increase is en route AND a 20% increase in vehicle registration will be waiting for you at the Secretary of State on your b-day!His mailers against Sarah Howard claiming he would FIGHT tax increases and CONTROL spending were a lie, he stabbed Ottawa County in the back and deserves to be recalled.

MIRS wrote of the plan:

"Under the plan, the gas tax would be increased from 19 to 26.3 cents per gallon starting Jan. 1, 2017, which happens to be after the House's 2016 elections. Along with an increase to diesel fuel costs and diesel parity, this piece of the plan is intended to generate $400 million. Registration fees would see a 20 percent across-the-board"

A Zeeland woman who claimed she was the victim of a crazed, knife-wielding attacker in an Ottawa County park has now recanted her story.

WMP has identified the woman as 33 year old Nikki Osborn.Osborn may face charges from the Ottawa County Prosecutor...According to The Grand Haven Tribune:

"Capt. John Wolffis of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department said during the investigation into the assault, the woman told deputies the incident did not occur.

Initially, the woman had told deputies that she was sitting on a bench in the park in Port Sheldon Township overlooking the river when a man grabbed her from behind, held a knife to her neck and told her to shut up.

The incident report will be forwarded to the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office for review."

"The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect who assaulted a woman in Hemlock Crossing Park on Monday, Nov. 2.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were dispatched to the park at 6:27 p.m. after the victim called 911 to report the assault. The victim, a 33-year-old Zeeland resident, said she was near the river about a quarter of a mile into the trails.

The woman told deputies she’d gone to take a walk in the woods and was sitting on a bench overlooking the river when a man grabbed her from behind, held a knife to her neck and told her to shut up. She told deputies she was able to fight him off and he fled back through the trails toward the parking lot.

She described the man as having dark brown hair and wearing a grey hoodie."

Monday, November 2, 2015

With just under 30 hours until polls close for tomorrow's elections, things are heating up in Grand Haven where recent mailers that just hit Citywide are causing controversy.

The mailers, sent by the Save The Grand Haven Cross And Nativity PAC, target incumbent John Hierholzer for voting to remove the Cross and Nativity after Atheist extremist Mitch Kahle threatened to sue the City. The Cross and Nativity had been a part of Grand Haven for over 50 years...

Hierholzer also voted against displaying the beloved "Coast Guard City USA" sign.

The mailers also spotlight one of his challengers. Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education Trustee Mike Cramer.

Cramer subscribed to cheating website "Ashley Madison" for years despite being married. A WMP investigation shows he was a subscriber for years, even renewing his membership as early as May of 2015.

The mailer advocates the election of local businessman Josh Brugger. The other incumbent, Mike Fritz, is not mentioned. Mayor Geri McCaleb is unopposed.

The PAC has kept busy.

"Through canvassing groups going door-to-door across Grand Haven, web ads, robocalls, mailers, and other strategic activities around town, we've been involved in this election because John Hierholzer needs to go," said PAC Communications Director Mari Harmon.

"Our Cross and Nativity is important," Harmon said. "When John Hierholzer voted to give in to Atheist terrorist Mitch Kahle and get rid of those community treasures, he turned his back on the people of Grand Haven, he dumped 50 years of tradition in the trash like it was nothing."

Harmon touts newcomer Josh Brugger as the man for the job.

"Josh Brugger is a local businessman and family man," Harmon said. "Brugger is the new leadership we need. Unlike Hierholzer, Brugger shares our Grand Haven values and is ready to lead.">>>In the interest of full disclosure, I am the Executive Director of the Save The Grand Haven Cross And Nativity PACEmail SaveTheGrandHavenCross@Gmail.Com for inquiries

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Sources tell West Michigan Politics that MIGOP Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel is conducting an investigation into longtime Michigan Republican Party lawyer Eric Doster over his involvement in a controversial mailer in the 80th House District.It's unclear what ramifications Doster may face.

WMP previously wrote:"A front group seemingly formed for the sole purpose of attacking 80th District State House candidate Jim Storey has surfaced, and the man behind it may surprise you.The flyer claims that Jim Storey is a liberal and a friend of President Obama...

Storey, along with Mary Whiteford and former State Rep. Cindy Gamrat, are the leading contenders in the Allegan County based House district. Former County Commissioner Bill Sage is also running, among others."

(Mailers also evidently went out in the 82nd attacking Gary Howell.)

Not only is Doster involved, so is his wife, Arlan Meekhof, and other Lansing insiders....

"A life-long resident of Michigan, Eric Doster was named Valedictorian of his high school with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Eric Doster received a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor cum laude from Wayne State University Law School. While at Wayne State University Law School, he was awarded a scholarship as a member of the Moot Court National Team, and received various awards for brief writing. He was admitted to the Bar in 1988.

Eric is the longest-serving General Counsel in the history of the Michigan Republican Party, having served in this position since 1992. Between 1989 and 1992, Eric served as Assistant General Counsel to the Michigan Republican Party. A former high school valedictorian, cemetery caretaker, librarian, and basketball referee, Eric is one of Michigan’s leading authorities on election law, campaign finance law, and other laws affecting the political process. His client list includes political party organizations, lobbyist firms, various trade associations, Fortune 500 companies, public officials, ballot question committees, tax-exempt organizations, and other clients who engage in the political process.

In 2013, Eric released “Michigan Campaign Finance” – the first reference book ever written on Michigan campaign finance law. Doster, a recognized leader in this area of the law, designed the book to help people understand this complex topic."

Donny McGowan says he was booted from The Bob in Grand Rapids after his controversial Halloween costume spurred outrage.

In a Facebook post, McGowan wrote:

"Why did I get kicked out of the Bob in Grand Rapids because of my costume last night... They could dress like us but we can't dress like them. Black Power p.s. I had the best costume out there."His costume? A KKK outfit... The situation is like one of the best moments in Comedy Central's "Chapelle's Show." A man is born blind and, despite being black, becomes a leading white supremacist. >>>View The Skit HERE